they reserve the right to make that distinction on a case by case basis just don't be a dick Answer from docvalentine on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › question about steam refund abuse
r/Steam on Reddit: Question about steam refund abuse
December 2, 2021 -
Hey, I've just read refund policy (https://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds/) and I think that information it's not clear enough.
I also read about "Before your eyes" case where a guy was given a refund after completing the game and writing a positive review.
Do you know how Steam abuse system for refunds works? I suppose that Steam could revoke that feature to him due to his behaviour.
Can they revoke this feature to you without notice?
I would appreciate any comment.
Top answer 1 of 5
5
Typically they will issue a refund as long as you have t played 2 hours and you bought it within 14 days. If you do this a lot, they will usually send you a notification saying so and that you may not get refunds for a while. They just don't want it to be a system for people to get 2 hour demos on games for free. If you do one here and there you won't have a problem. There are some situations (like battlefield and cyberpunk) that they make exceptions to the time played and owned rules, but it is entirely discretionary. They essentially can do whatever they want and there's nothing you can do about it, but they are pretty good about it in general.
2 of 5
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Steam dont complete remove the refund from your account, if you abuse too much they give a suspension, dont know how long,i never heard of someone losing this feature forever I think i refund 2 or 3 games a month, but theres several i keep, if you just buy and refund everything and never keeps a game prob raise a flag for steam to manual check that account
Steam
store.steampowered.com › steam_refunds
Steam Refunds
If it appears to us that you are abusing refunds, we may stop offering them to you. We do not consider it abuse to request a refund on a title that was purchased just before a sale and then immediately rebuying that title for the sale price.
Videos
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 0 › 2254560552299009500
What is considered as a misuse/abuse of refund system? :: Steam Discussions
Originally posted by Ogami: If ... at that pace your refund rights might be revoked. Just dont refund anything for a few weeks/months and the warning will be gone again....
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 0 › 1744480967014139443
Refund abusing :: Steam Discussions
If it appears to us that you are abusing refunds, we may stop offering them to you. We do not consider it abuse to request a refund on a title that was purchased just before a sale and then immediately rebuying that title for the sale price
DoNotPay
donotpay.com › learn › what-is-steam-refund-abuse
What Is Steam Refund Abuse? [Explained]
Find out more about how to refund a game on Steam or how to refund a gift on the same platform with the help of DoNotPay. While Steam has a rather generous refund policy, they keep a firm stance on customers abusing refunds on purpose.
Quora
quora.com › Will-you-abuse-Steam-s-refund-policy-on-a-short-game-although-you-have-had-a-great-time-playing-it-eg-A-short-game-with-good-story-and-narration-like-One-Chance
Will you abuse Steam’s refund policy on a short game although you have had a great time playing it (eg. A short game with good story and narration like One Chance)? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): I personally definitely wouldn’t. Closest I ever came to doing that was completing Dishonored during a free weekend, but that’s not exactly equatable, and I’ve given Arkane/Bethesda plenty of my money on other occasions anyway. I appreciate that for a good number of people, ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › what counts as "abusing the refunding system"?
r/Steam on Reddit: What counts as "abusing the refunding system"?
September 28, 2023 - I have refunded multiple games during sales, never got a warning. You must really be stretching it. Just saying. More replies More replies ... They don't tell you that specifically so they don't have people abusing it. It could also be up to the discretion of the people reviewing it. ... According to their policy, this is accepted: https://help.steampowered...
Steam Support
help.steampowered.com › en › faqs › view › 5FDE-BA65-ACCE-A411
Steam Support :: Common Refund Questions
About Valve | Steamworks | Jobs | Steam Distribution | Gift Cards
Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › how many refunds until it is considered abuse?
r/Steam on Reddit: How many refunds until it is considered abuse?
February 12, 2024 -
Hello,
I recently purchased five games, costing around 80$. However, I accidentally purchased them for myself instead of my friend, who they were meant for. I've refunded all of the games to my Steam Wallet with the intention of getting them for him (and I've stated as such in the refund reason), but would Steam bar me from refunding products because of this?
Top answer 1 of 5
28
Just explain to them in the little extra notes section if you need to. Ive refunded so god damn many games over the years and never got a warning. All within the 2 hour 2 week rule of course.
2 of 5
20
There would be no hard number as it would be based on multiple factors and not just an arbitrary number. Also if numbers were published or known as far as limits and resets to counters and such people could abuse it and refund just up to under the limits and then know they have X refunds again after 24 hours or w/e and completely avoid ever seeing the notices about refund abuse.
Orbis Patches
orbispatches.com › gaming-faq › what-happens-if-you-abuse-steam-refund
What happens if you abuse Steam refund?
If it appears that you are abusing the refund system, we reserve the right to revoke access to this feature. If I refund a game, will my playtime and achievements be removed from my Steam Community Profile? No, playtime and achievements will not be removed from your Steam Community Profile.
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 1 › 618463738404963498
Is this refund abuse? :: Help and Tips
If it appears to us that you are abusing refunds, we may stop offering them to you. We do not consider it abuse to request a refund on a title that was purchased just before a sale and then immediately rebuying that title for the sale price. ...
GameFAQs
gamefaqs.gamespot.com › pc › hardware › console
Do You Abuse Steam Refunds? - PC
For PC on the PC, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "Do You Abuse Steam Refunds?" - Page 4.
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 0 › 640179446900332623
What's considered abusing the Steam refund system? :: Steam Discussions
Originally posted by Emig5m:What's considered abusing the Steam refund system? ...is there a point if you say, bought like 15 games just to demo and get a refund... By your own hypothetical, yes. ... Using the refund system to demo games, is abuse. It is not a satisfaction guarantee system. Refunding a game you payed full price for that just went on sale to rebuy it for the sale price, is not abuse. So long as you don't try and refund a ton of games this way.
GameSpot
gamespot.com › articles › dev-steps-away-from-making-games-after-alleged-abuse-of-steams-refund-policy › 1100-6495670
Dev Steps Away From Making Games After Alleged Abuse Of Steam's Refund Policy - GameSpot
August 27, 2021 - According to Emika Games, the large number of refunds for Summer of '58 has meant that they "do not earn anything to create a new game." Emika Games' upcoming title, From Day To Day, has likewise been delayed indefinitely as well, with the developer saying "this game will not see the light of day in the near future." If its refund policy was abused, this episode would highlight a major issue with Steam's handling of refunds.
Lowyat.NET
lowyat.net › home › gaming
Indie Dev Gives Up Making Games Due To Steam Refund Abuse - Lowyat.NET
August 30, 2021 - ALSO READ: Steam Hosts First-Ever Black Friday Sale; Discounts Galore · A potential solution is adjusting the refund window to the average playtime. Shorter indie games may get maybe a 30-minute window, but larger games get the two hour play time.
ReHack
rehack.com › gaming › steam-refund-policy-what-you-should-know
Steam Refund Policy: What You Should Know (Updated for 2025) - ReHack
July 29, 2025 - If you have been banned by the Valve Anti-Cheat system (VAC) for cheating on a specific game, you lose the right to refund that game. If Steam judges that you abused its policy in the past, it can revoke your right to future refunds.
Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › discussions › forum › 1 › 392183857625119835
Can I Get Banned for Excessive Refunds? :: Help and Tips
The page the good Jigoku linked says that if they think you are abusing the refunds, then they may stop offering them to you. You won't get "banned" or anything, only if you seem to be abusing the policy you may lose the ability to refund in the future. Why, may I ask, are you refunding them ? Do they not run on your system ?
Expert Game Reviews
expertgamereviews.com › home › guides › how to get a steam refund: complete guide to getting your money back
How to Get a Steam Refund: Complete Guide to Getting Your Money Back – Expert Game Reviews
A: Steam monitors refund patterns and may restrict or remove refund privileges for accounts that appear to be abusing the system. Q: Can I refund a game I bought outside of Steam? A: No, Steam can only refund games purchased directly through their platform. Third-party purchases must be handled with the original seller. Q: Do weekend hours count toward the 14-day limit?
Steam Support
help.steampowered.com › en › faqs › view › 784C-923B-A4A1-C825
Steam Support :: How To Request A Refund
© Valve Corporation. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. Privacy Policy | Legal | Accessibility | Steam Subscriber Agreement | Refunds
NeoGAF
neogaf.com › discussions › gaming discussion
Summer of '58 developer quits after people abuse steam refund policy (playtime was less than two hours) | NeoGAF
August 27, 2021 - Doesn't make sense. Click to expand... Why not? The 14 day limit applies in both cases. The only difference is that Valve are nice enough to let you try the game first. ... Yeh I remember seeing on some oz forums at the start of last gen people returning the order because they finished it with a plat in one weekend, bought it friday and returned it monday for a full refund. Click to expand... Yeah, to me, that's people abusing a system meant to protect them.